Quote:
Originally Posted by peterwardgd
Sorry for going off topic but i've never seen the word shutters used that way before. Is it an american thing? You also use the word 'shuts' right? colour  me curious. |
They don't use it in merry old?
Odd. It's an older English term, early 19th, roots going back to the 16th:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?...earchmode=none
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/shutter
Shutters are protective covers for windows (or a mechanism inside a camera inspired by them).
Storm shutters are heavy, robust shutters used to protect from incoming storms and hurricanes (depending on location.)
When a store goes under, it has long been typical to cover up the big glass display windows that would otherwise be empty. Hence, a failed store has been "shuttered".
If nothing else, it prevents vandalism.